> This is very good information. Thanks. > > On the one hand, MySQL has a free license for> non-commercial use which has now changed to 'GPL'.> Otherwise, MySQL has always had a small license fee> (and protection from 'GPL') for anyone developing a> system for a commercial application. Many people want> to steal a 'free' license and not pay. > > As the link explains, the 'free' license is changed to> GPL, meaning any system developed with the free> license is also GPL. Now, if your software project> steals a 'free' license you have to release your> software as open source, e.g. GPL. I may not> understand nor explain it 100% correctly, but that's> the general point.> > The only way to protect yourself, if you are> developing software to make money, is to buy a> license. I applaud MySQL for taking these steps. I> found that RedHat has actually improved by charging> license fees, even though Linus is upset about having> to pay for what he writes. I also think this will> improve MySQL.> > <SOAPBOX>> Its funny (to me) is because we always get back what> we are willing to put in, especially in the 'global'> economy and with software companies. Sometimes it just> takes a couple cycles for balance to be achieved. > > Who knows where this is from?> > "Where is the natural place to look for cost reduction> opportunities? In the places where there is apparent> excess manpower - the areas that have improved the> most. Punish people for their improvements and the> process of ongoing improvements comes to a grinding> halt. Morale, and thus performance, rapidly> deteriorates. But at that time the clients have been> spoiled by the excellent performance and they are not> willing to accept any deterioration. Sales plummet, in> some cases, to the extent that financial viability is> not longer there".> > My philosophy is also to laugh at software companies> where the Corporate leadership pitches how great their> outsource projects are going. Regardless, I support> least cost development, but the truth is that most of> the largest license thefts occurs in Asia, China,> India and Russia/East Europe (sorted alphabetical),> and some of our largest software based corporations> will see sales plummet by focusing in these areas.> > Two questions:> 1) How much cheaper is development, when you steal all> your development software, e.g. databases? > 2) How reliable/professional would this type of> organization be?> > E.g. Also, don't ask how many clients 'Oracle <insert> country>' has signed up, rather ask how much new> license revenue has been generated.> > For example, a friend mine from India told me his> friends back home ask him why he has to pay US taxes,> because they don't understand why he can't cheat on> taxes like they do. And, India is not nearly as big a> problem as the others I've mentioned.> </SOAPBOX>> > Its clear that MySQL is getting ahead of the curve in> this case. Congratulations.> > Regards,> > Mike Thomas> > --- DENNIS WILLIAMS <DWILLIAMS_at_LIFETOUCH.COM> wrote:> > If you are considering MySQL or other open-source> > applications, the> > following article discusses some of the more subtle> > issues related to open> > source, particularly if you sell applications based> > on MySQL.> > > >> http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/01/16/03OPstrategic_1.html> > > > > > Dennis Williams> > DBA> > Lifetouch, Inc.> > dwilliams_at_lifetouch.com > > > >> -------------------------------------------------------------> > Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ:> > http://www.orafaq.com> >> -------------------------------------------------------------> > To unsubscribe send email to: > > oracle-l-request_at_freelists.org> > put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.> >> -------------------------------------------------------------> > > __________________________________> Do you Yahoo!?> Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it!> http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/> ----------------------------------------------------------------> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com> ----------------------------------------------------------------> To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request_at_freelists.org> put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.> --> Archives are at http://www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/> FAQ is at http://www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html> ----------------------------------------------------------------->

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